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Polls and politics: How the high court's health law consideration is changing public sentiment

Recent polls generally indicate that last month's oral arguments changed public views about the health law, but it is not clear in which direction. There are also surveys and analysis about the law's under-26 coverage provision and whether people think seniors with higher incomes should pay more for Medicare.

12 Apr 2012

Lung cancer screening could be cost effective: Study finds

A new study shows that screening longtime tobacco users for lung cancer would be less costly than the widely accepted practice of screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers and would reduce the death toll of lung cancer by an estimated 15,000 lives a year.

11 Apr 2012

GPs seeking separate remuneration for maintaining e-health records

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11 Apr 2012

Viewpoints: 'Slicing' the safety net; GOP health law fight should have targeted cost-cutting panel, not mandate

Last month, the House passed a 2013 budget written by Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin that would reduce spending in the category of Education, Training, Employment and Social Services by $16 billion from the previous year, or 22 percent, on top of all the cuts forced by Republicans over several years.

11 Apr 2012

First Edition: April 10, 2012

In today's headlines, a new study finds that the health law, which has long been touted as a means to control costs, could add more than $340 billion to the nation's budget difficulties in the next ten years.

10 Apr 2012

Low-dose spiral CT cost-effective in reducing lung cancer deaths

Lung cancer is the most lethal cancer in the United States. According to the National Cancer Institute, lung cancer causes more than 150,000 deaths annually and has a survival rate of 16 percent. More Americans die of lung cancer each year than of cervical, breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.

10 Apr 2012

First study to examine long-term effects of climate change on life expectancy

New research from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) suggests that seemingly small changes in summer temperature swings-as little as 1-C more than usual-may shorten life expectancy for elderly people with chronic medical conditions, and could result in thousands of additional deaths each year.

10 Apr 2012

White House moves $500 million to IRS for health law implementation

The funds were diverted to the Internal Revenue Service outside the normal appropriations process to help the agency implement the overhaul. Meanwhile, other news outlets report on developments related to accountable care organizations and primary care payment issues.

10 Apr 2012

Viewpoints: Health law seeks to remedy broken insurance market; Overhaul was sunk by its complexity

Commentators look at some of the underlying issues of the health law which is being considered by the Supreme Court.

10 Apr 2012

Three ESRD products chosen for FDA's Innovation Pathway program

Three products for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) have been chosen to participate in the FDA's Innovation Pathway, an evolving system designed to help medical devices reach patients in a safe, timely and collaborative manner.

10 Apr 2012

Medicare, entitlements: Key political sparring points

Although congressional Democrats and President Barack Obama hope to make electoral hay out of the GOP budget's Medicare revamp, GOP Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is proving to have appeal. During the primary thus far, Romney has fared well with older voters in swing states.

9 Apr 2012

During the congressional break, voters air their frustrations

At a time of high unemployment and home foreclosure rates, frustration with Congress and rising anxiety over how to deal with the national debt without gutting programs such as Medicare health insurance for the elderly and the Social Security retirement program, such meetings aren't always comfortable for lawmakers.

9 Apr 2012

States count health law dollars, brace for back-ups if overhaul struck down

In health law implementation news, Iowa gets federal grants for home care workers to visit families with children while Minnesota lawmakers brace for losing Medicaid dollars.

9 Apr 2012

Kodak withdraws plan to end health benefits for Medicare-eligible retirees

In the midst of bankruptcy proceedings, Kodak withdrew a motion to end these health benefits and will instead create a reitrees commitee to examine issues of medical and survivor benefits. Meanwhile, AT&T contract negotiations continue -- with health care premiums and copayments among the issues in play.

9 Apr 2012

First Edition: April 9, 2012

In today's headlines, reports about how both Democrats and Republicans are working to woo Seniors -- Medicare politices are central to this effort.

9 Apr 2012

The Medicare NewsGroup introduces new website for journalists

The Medicare NewsGroup has launched a new website that will equip journalists with the information and tools they need to cover Medicare effectively and thoroughly.

9 Apr 2012

Viewpoints: An 'easy' SCOTUS case?; Is painkiller addiction really an epidemic?

Nothing in the Supreme Court arguments in the health care case last week, or in the subsequent commentary, has changed my opinion that this is an easy case. It's the court that made it look hard (Linda Greenhouse, 4/4).

7 Apr 2012

RepTrak Pulse ranks CVS Caremark among Most Reputable Companies in America

CVS Caremark has been named as one of the Most Reputable Companies in America by Reputation Institute, in partnership with Forbes Media. The survey rankings are based on Reputation Institute's 2012 U.S. RepTrak™ Pulse, a study that measures the 150 largest U.S. public companies.

7 Apr 2012

Advisory panel urges new fee on Medigap plans, cap on out-of-pocket costs

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission made recommendations to Congress for changes to the program. It's not clear if Congress will accept the proposals.

7 Apr 2012

Premier healthcare alliance awards new agreements for construction services

The Premier healthcare alliance today announced new agreements for construction services have been awarded to Heery International of Atlanta; Jones Lang LaSalle of Chicago; Rodgers Builders Inc., a woman owned business, of Charlotte, N.C.; Stantec Consulting Services Inc. of Alberta, Canada; Tyler 2 Construction Inc., a woman owned business, of Charlotte, N.C.; and Zak Companies Inc. of St. Louis, Mo.

7 Apr 2012